"Les Island"

3rd day in Finland.

We decided with Célie to change landscape and to visit some islands that the tourism office described us.

First of all, there was a misunderstanding regarding the departure time. The first boat, that was marked as leaving around 10 am, was finally cancelled. It took us almost 30 minutes to understand that as noone was talking English or wanted to help us. Fortunately, we met a really nice Finish couple that translated for us.

So we had about two and a half hours to kill and since the weather was once more very hot and shiny, we decided to stay on Rauma's harbour, to visit the Lighthouse and just lay on the rocks under the sun.

These 2 hours were the most peaceful we spent in Finland. We listened to music, chatted, enjoyed, discovered wild life...

At the right time we went to buy our tickets for the tour. This was the program:
- 1st island (unpronounceable name so I re baptised it Couscoustajine... quite close to the real name): 5 hours on it. Historical island, bonkers, military canteen...
- 2nd island (can't remember the name): one and a half hour on it. The lighthouse.

When we left the harbour, we were really excited because the trip really changed the landscape around us: sea, boats, fresh air. Just great!
As soon as we arrived on the island, we kind of changed face. We soon discovered that there was not much to see. Bonkers, bonkers, abandoned places and... bonkers. 5 hours HERE!!! We occupied our time on the swing, having an ice cream in the military canteen, going to a viewpoint on top of a tower and... chatting... again!

We were really happy to see the boat coming back to lead us to the 2nd island. We were like 2 adventurers rescued after 1 month in a tropical jungle without seeing anybody. So when the boat arrived, we didn't even let the people come down and jumped on the deck.

2nd island: worse then the first one!! It was 3 stones in the sea and a lighthouse on the middle of it. And that was basically all!!!! And THERE we had to stay one and a half hour!!!!!! The area of the place was around 600m². No kidding!

We tried to stay calm and went up the lighthouse. The view was really nice... but still to desert to be that exciting! I think we were really surptised when we discovered that the lighthouse was also a hotel!! Why do people spend 100€ (we asked for the price!) to spend one night in the middle of nowhere????

Coming back to the continent, we decided that the day was still nice even though a bit long.

In the evening we went to a restaurant to eat traditional food: reindeer. It was delicious and we ended up our day coming back, stomach full.

Helsinki, capital and city of our hearts

It took us only a couple of minutes to decide to cover the 254 km separating us from Helsinki yesterday evening.

Leaving early in the morning (around 5am), it took us 4 hours, 32,10€ each and a looooooooot of patience to arrive. Fortunately, we left taking with us our cameras, the guidebook and our good temper that help us bear the trip. We sang all the way long and I'm sure that the other passengers didn't realised they would need some patience too to bear the trip with us!

Arrived in Helsinki, we stop at the terrace of a bar to have breakfast and started to visit the city. The weather was once more unbelievable shiny and we spent a great day walking along the lake, taking pics with flowers, and discovering the harbour and it's cute market place.

The most impressive thing that engraved our memories is evidently the wonderful cathedral right in the centre of the city and not far from the harbour. So white and so sober that it looked like it was shining over the whole city.

Coming back from Helsinki, travelling the 254 km in the other way and so, getting bored another 4 hours, we joined Aurélia and her friends at the terrace of a café for a drink. But apparently no one realised that it was evening and that the mosquitoes were already out to bite some fresh French flesh. Therefore we didn't stay long.

Memorable day... for various reasons! ;-)

Rauma, peaceful city

This morning, Célie and I took our time. Aurélia and her housemate already left for work so we were only the two of us ready for our Finish adventure.

After having shopped a bit for breakfast and dinner, we left to visit this cosy city. We went to the tourism office and asked for information and activities to do, visited the city centre walking (Célie bought sunglasses! :) ) and enjoyed a huge pizza at the terrace of a restaurant. And then it was already the end of the afternoon!

We spent a nice and quiet day in the sun and for a first approach, it was really good.

In the evening we had an aperitif with Barbara, Aurélia's housemate, and went to see the most wonderful sunset ever at the little beach beside home.

From Dublin to Rauma

4:00: Time to wake up
Finishing the luggages, preparing the sandwiches for the trip and leaving.

5:45: Waiting for the Air Coach
Célie and I are in the streets, really awake, singing out loud "Regarde! Le jour se lèèèèèveeeee!!!!!", having big laughs and impatient to be in the plane to Finland. The weather is so smooth and even though it's raining a bit (which make Célie very happy because she can use her "Kaputze") I'm only wearing a jacket.

7:45: The plane takes off

13:00: Arrival in Tempere!!!!
"Look Célie the little plane over there! That's our private jet! ;-)"
And then, looking at the airport: "OH-MY-GOD!!! Where are we??? Is this little shack the airport???.... Ok keep the faith, it's a Ryanair flight, therefore it's normal that we arrive in some lost places...". Well, we hope!...

Afternoon: Visiting Tempere
Visit of a nice church and then chatting at the terrace of a café having a great ice cream. The weather is unbelievable! 24°C!!!! We're out in the sun, in our little tops and T-shirts enjoying life and holidays!!

18:00: Arrival in Rauma
Very different from what we expected with Célie. At this time of the day, everything id closed. The historical city centre is made of little cabins of wood... and basically, Aurélia explains us that's it's the only attraction of the city... Ok, I admit it, Célie and I were a bit worried at that precise moment: "What are we gonna do here for 5 days???"

22:00: Sunset
We went to the creek just down home to see the magnificent sunset over the lake (already the 2nd one we saw today!) and, after having taken 1000 pictures, came back because of the mosquitoes!!!

Last day at Siemens

Here we are, my last day at Siemens. I can't believe I already spent 6 months in that company.

I had to clean up everything, organize the last files and say goodbye to everyone... and obviously it took me longer than expected!

After the working day, we all left (Célie and Alex comprised) to Kobra and then to D Two to get our last team drinks.

I makes me quite sad and nostalgic to realise it's already the end. After all, I would have been glad to stay a couple of months longer. I was really appreciating my life style here...

I really want to thank you all for your friendliness and your help. I'll always remember you.

A piece of Picardie in Dublin County

A long and excited trip for Célie who came to visit me. She just arrived home when I suggested to join Marie and her friends in Café en Seine. Célie, full of energy and happiness, accepted and it was the beginning of a long evening! (As always with Marie! ;-) )

Around 3am we came back home and went to bed. I had to be ready for my last day at Siemens... and Célie's Birthday!

N.I. - Day 4: From the cliffs toward home

Last day of our wonderful trip in Northern Ireland. Today the weather was not that great but one day out of four, we couldn't really complain.

We drove along the Donegal coast. It was like being at the end of the world: the coast, the sea, and the sky. Just great.

The closer we arrived to the cliffs, the more scary it was. The road was quite small and it went up and down, right and left, each time without seeing where it ended up... After all these emotions we discovered the marvellous landscape of Slieve League. They're the highest cliffs in Europe: almost 600m! Quite impressive!

We walked on the One Man's Path (or so we thought) which is a very small path up on the cliffs and enjoyed the view over the Atlantic ocean on one side and over Donegal County on the other.

Then it was already time to go back to Dublin... :(
On our way, we went to Sligo and saw the Benbulbin, a huge mountain that's often compared to a table with "folded" sides. It's 80km long and quite massive in the landscape.

We finally arrived at the airport parking place and had to say goodbye to our great car...

I first want to thank Michi for his company, friendship and kindness during the trip and for having been such a good driver!! I couldn't do best! ;-)

And remember, whenever you want, I'm ready to do this all over again with you! I had a great time!!!!